Arkansas man gets life in prison for mutilation, rape

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas man who beat and raped a 69-year-old woman leaving her so badly injured that parts of her arms and legs had to be amputated has been sentenced to life in prison.

A jury on Thursday found 31-year-old Charles Allen Rickman of Gentry guilty of aggravated residential burglary, kidnapping, battery and two counts of rape. A judge sentenced Rickman to four life sentences plus 20 years, to run consecutively.

Testimony showed Rickman pretended to have car trouble and forced his way into the woman’s home last October. She had met Rickman when he helped a painter she hired.

She testified that Rickman blindfolded her, tied her hands and feet — cutting off her circulation — and raped and beat her in the hourslong ordeal.